As part of the annual graduate auditions, vocal graduates from CAMPUS partner universities presented themselves yesterday at the Vienna Chamber Opera to selected casting and opera directors from international opera houses and renowned artist agencies. In recent years, this format has established itself as a sustainable bridge between education and professional life: numerous graduates have successfully entered the professional opera world in this way.

After three successful years, the graduate audition underwent its first expansion in terms of content and structure. Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club Wien – Prinz Eugen and Operabase, the audition was held as a graduate competition with an award ceremony. In addition to the decision of a high-calibre jury of experts, an audience award was also presented, underscoring the active participation of the audience.

The jury was composed of renowned personalities from the international music theatre world:
Adrian Eröd, Director of the Opera Studio at the Vienna State Opera,
Susann Kalauka, Artistic Director, Nuremberg State Theatre,
Maurice Lenhard, Director of the Opera Studio at the Vienna Volksoper, Cristiano Sandri, Artistic Director, Teatro Regio Torino, Carolin Wielpütz, Artistic Director, MusikTheater an der Wien, Evamaria Wieser, Casting Director, Salzburg Festival

From a large number of outstanding talents, the jury selected the following prize winners:
First prize went to Beatriz Maia, soprano / Portugal / August Everding Theatre Academy Munich
Second prize went to  Salvador Sinão, tenor / Portugal / Dutch National Opera Academy Amsterdam. Third prize went to Tara Cassan, soprano / France / Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna.

In addition, the audience award was presented, which Beatriz Maia also won.

The Vienna Chamber Opera once again proved to be the ideal venue for showcasing young voices. For decades, this intimate space has served as an essential springboard for young opera singers, with numerous international careers having begun here. Jury member Adrian Eröd, now a celebrated singer at the Vienna State Opera, also took his first artistic steps at the Chamber Opera.

The competition highlights the importance of sustainable promotion of young talent in musical theatre and at the same time creates a meeting place for young artists and decision-makers in the international opera world.

Special thanks to the Rotary Club Wien – Prinz Eugen and Operabase for their valuable support.

Following the event, the finalists and jury members were invited to a festive closing ceremony at the You restaurant in the Meridien Hotel.